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Great Rail Journeys · River cruise, escorted tour

Danube Christmas Markets: Vienna to Nuremberg - Fly

Danube river cruise from Vienna to Nuremberg visiting Christmas markets

Illustration of Danube Christmas Markets: Vienna to Nuremberg - Fly

Great Rail Journeys offers a 7-day escorted river cruise combining the Danube's winter scenery with Europe's famous Christmas markets. The journey begins in Vienna, Austria, and travels to Nuremberg, Germany, aboard a five-star luxury vessel. Guests stay onboard the cruise ship each night, waking to new destinations along the river and stepping out into festive market squares decorated for the holiday season. The package includes the flight from the UK and all river cruise accommodation. This trip suits couples and luxury-focused travellers who prefer to unpack once and explore multiple cities by water. The combination of sophisticated onboard comfort with daytime visits to atmospheric Christmas markets makes this an elegant alternative to land-based holiday tours.

Price history

Across 3 checks, this price has fallen £200 since 12 Aug, to £1,999.

£2,199£1,99912 Aug12 Sep

Each point is a day we checked this operator's own page, not a weekly average, and the line holds flat between checks rather than guessing at movement we did not see. 3 of 3 points are a live read of the operator's page.

What to know before you look closer

  • This trip is primarily a river cruise; rail travel is not the main transport mode. The operator publishes no day-by-day itinerary; confirm which Christmas markets are visited and the exact route stops with Great Rail Journeys before booking.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Vienna, aboard ship

    To Vienna, where we board our elegant ship

    Your festive holiday begins as we meet at London Heathrow for our flight to Vienna. From the Austrian capital, we are transferred by coach to our elegant cruise ship. We're greeted by our friendly crew and enjoy a welcome drink while taking in the waterside views from the lounge. After settling into our cabin, we indulge in our first five-course dinner on board.

    Meals: Dinner

  2. Day 2overnight: Vienna, aboard ship

    Vienna and the Schönbrunn Palace Christmas market

    After breakfast, we board a coach for a guided tour of Vienna, passing the Ringstrasse boulevard, the Opera House and the parliament building. After lunch on the ship, you can choose between two excursions: a trip to Schönbrunn Palace, where the forecourt is transformed into a magical Christmas market, or a return to central Vienna to stroll the boulevards and visit St Stephen's Cathedral.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  3. Day 3overnight: Aboard ship, cruising the Wachau Valley

    Visiting the magnificent Melk Abbey and Dürnstein

    Today brings a tour of Melk Abbey, an 11th-century Baroque complex overlooking the Danube; we disembark at Emmersdorf and tour the abbey's church, library and halls. Back on the ship, we sail through the Wachau Valley to the riverside village of Dürnstein. Returning to the ship in the evening, we enjoy a festive afternoon in the lounge with the opportunity to try decorating gingerbread before dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  4. Day 4overnight: Aboard ship, cruising to Regensburg

    Touring Passau and a Christmas-themed afternoon tea

    After breakfast, we board a coach for a tour of Passau's Baroque Old Town, including St Stephan's Cathedral, home of the world's largest cathedral organ. After lunch on the ship, free time to explore independently, perhaps visiting the Veste Oberhaus fortress. Returning to our ship, we begin sailing toward Regensburg, enjoying a Christmas-themed afternoon tea of mince pies, stollen, gingerbread and mulled wine.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  5. Day 5overnight: Regensburg, aboard ship

    Visiting Regensburg's enchanting Christmas markets

    Arriving in the morning, we enjoy a guided sightseeing tour of Regensburg's UNESCO-listed Old Town, including St Peter's Cathedral, before returning in the afternoon for the market around Thurn & Taxis Castle, a lantern-lit feast of craft stalls and roasted chestnuts. We return to the ship for dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  6. Day 6overnight: Nuremberg, aboard ship

    Sailing to Nuremberg and a guided tour

    A free morning as we continue to cruise toward Nuremberg. In the afternoon, we disembark for a guided sightseeing tour, seeing the imperial Kaiserburg castle overlooking the Altstadt marketplace. With free time after the tour, explore the city's Christmas markets before returning to the ship for our final dinner.

    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

  7. Day 7rail

    Homeward bound

    After breakfast, we take a train to Frankfurt Airport and board our flight back to London Heathrow, where your tour comes to an end.

    Meals: Breakfast

Included

  • Tour Manager: Escorted throughout your tour by our experienced Tour Manager/Cruise Director team
  • Cruise: 6-night cruise onboard MS Amadeus Star
  • Five-star service onboard
  • Complimentary onboard Wi-Fi
  • Transportation: All rail and coach travel throughout your tour
  • Flights: Flights from London Heathrow to Vienna, Frankfurt to London Heathrow
  • Food & Drink: Breakfast, lunch and dinner each day including a spectacular gala dinner
  • Drinks package with dinner every night of your cruise
  • Excursions & Entertainment: Superb excursions included

Questions travellers ask

How much does it cost?
From £1,999 per person, the operator's advertised from-price, read on its own page on 12 Sept 2026. About $2,700 at ECB reference rates. Departures, room types and dates can price differently; the operator's page is the final word.
Is this trip escorted?
Yes, Great Rail Journeys operates this as an escorted river cruise holiday.
What is included?
The package includes the flight, five-star luxury river cruise accommodation along the Danube, and visits to Christmas markets in Vienna and Nuremberg.
How many days is the trip?
The trip is 7 days and 6 nights.
Which countries are visited?
The cruise travels through Austria and Germany along the Danube.

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